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Outgoing NLRB Chair Miscimarra Leads Attack on Working People's Rights

… On Dec. 16, 2017, National Labor Relations Board Chair Philip Miscimarra’s term came to an end. In the final days before the end of his term, a series of 3-2 decisions were handed down that were unprecedented … counts as your employer if they have direct control over your terms of employment. Other legal entities involved in the work process are not responsible, even if they have a say in your employment situation—for example, controlling the speed of … make have to be consistent with law and not suggest to employees that they might be discipline for exercising their right.  At least until this decision. In this case, the board changed the test used to determine whether work rules are …
Speech

Trumka: Fight Climate Change the Right Way

… President Richard Trumka delivered the following remarks at the Global Climate Action Summit :  Good morning and thank you to Governor (Jerry) Brown for inviting me here to say a few words on behalf of the 12.5 million working women and men who … is a tough issue for us. But, in the labor movement, we’re used to tough issues and hard choices. We’re prepared to do the right thing for our people and our planet. And we know that this fight can–and must–be about investing in a better, more … demanding that plants, industries and projects be stopped or shut down, with no plan for the people who are put out of work...no call for shared sacrifice...and no dialogue or solidarity with those whose lives and communities are dependent on …
Legislative Alert

Letter Opposing a Bill That Would Deprive Workers Employed by Tribal-Owned and -Operated Enterprises Their Rights and Protections Under the NLRA

… Dear Senator: The AFL-CIO urges you to oppose the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, which would deny protection under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to a … human rights that belong to every worker in every nation. Workers cannot be left without any legally enforceable right to form unions and bargain collectively in instances where they are working for a tribal enterprise which is simply a … These values are at the core of the ILO Constitution and the ILO’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The Director for the International Labour Standards Division wrote that in the absence of tribal ordinances offering …
Blog

Working Families Will Not Be Silenced by Supreme Court Case

… Working people rallied in cities across the country over the weekend to call for an end to policies that attack union members and rig the economy and political system against working families, as the Supreme Court … against the rich and powerful for a better life for your family and my family and every working family. Because we do the work. We pave the streets. We drive the buses and walk the beats. We are working people. We won’t be shoved aside. We are the …
Blog

Working People Stand Resolute in the Face of Janus Ruling

… the Supreme Court ruled against working people in Janus v. AFSCME, Council 31, working people will not allow this attack to silence our collective voices. We will continue to organize and bring our collective voices together in opposition to the … ever to fight like hell to win for our members and the communities they care so much about. AFSCME members don’t do this work to get rich. They do it because it’s a calling—and for that service, they deserve respect. They deserve the same … While this decision is both unjust and, frankly, unfair and stupid, it’s happening at a time workers, especially in right-to-work states—are more conscious than ever of the need to unite and fight back. Recent successful teachers’ strikes in …
Press Release

BLS Union Data Shows Working People on the Rise

… people is on the rise,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “Together, we organized historic new unions, stood up to powerful corporations, and won higher wages. But today’s data is more than numbers on a page, it’s a growing movement of … and will change the rules of this economy - that’s when you’ll know unions are on the rise.”   Key Trends:   Workers in “right to work” states like South Carolina and Michigan are joining unions by the thousands. Young workers continue to drive union …
Blog

Members of Congress Reject Janus Ruling and Stand with Working People

… excerpts from their statements. … Rep. John Garamendi (Calif.-3rd District) : Public sector unions are legally required to bargain on behalf of everyone in their shop, regardless of whether they’re a union member or not. Today’s decision by the … issue by eliminating the ability of unions to charge fair share fees for the nonunion employees who benefit from the work union representatives do. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (Calif.-12th District) : The Supreme Court’s radical ruling tramples over … District) : Today’s Supreme Court decision was targeted at the public sector, but it strikes at the heart of Americans’ right to collectively bargain for better pay, safer working conditions, access to health care and basic retirement benefits. …
Speech

Trumka at UMWA Inauguration: Listen to Working People

… that introduction. Senator (Joe) Manchin, Congressman (David) McKinley, Sister Sara (Nelson), thank you all for being here to mark this auspicious occasion. And to the newly elected leaders of the UMWA: President Cecil Roberts, Secretary-Treasurer … the greatest union members in the world. 36 years ago, on Christmas week at the Charleston Civic Center, I raised my right hand and took the oath of office as president of the United Mine Workers of America. I was 33. It was one of the … people are delivering a message in America today. We are sick and tired of an economy and a political system that doesn’t work for us. We are embracing the fundamental truth that the best way to raise our own standing in life is by standing with …
Speech

Trumka Defines Victory for Working People at Midwest District Meeting

… at the Midwest District Meeting:  Thank you, Brother Mike (Carrigan). And thank you all for being here. As I begin, I want to reinforce what Katie said about our Code of Conduct. We simply will not tolerate any form of harassment, discrimination or … and strategy to win back power for workers. Over the next several hours, we’ll look at ways to neutralize Janus and right to work by organizing internally. We’ll dive into our Path to Power program which is electing union members to office from coast …
Speech

Trumka to Western District Strategy Meeting: Working People Ready to Go on Offense

… This has been a very productive meeting. We covered a lot of ground. We talked about the political landscape, the need to increase our density and the ways we can use the 2018 election to engage with our members. We talked about the Workers’ … our Path to Power program which is helping elect more union members to office. We talked about the threats of Janus and right to work and our power to overcome them. I am confident that we will leave here today with a clear vision and mission for growing …